THE FEEDING OF HOUSES 65 



percentage of crude fiber. It is better to have the digestive tract 

 of the idle horse well distended with coarse material rather than 

 contracted, as would be the case if grains possessing only the 

 requisite nutrients were supplied. If the protected area is kept 

 dry and well bedded, the horse can be comfortably wintered in 

 this way at much less expense than by stabling. Some grain 

 should, however, be fed at shedding-time, even if the horses are 

 idle. Light grain feeding, together with some work, should 

 begin six weeks before the spring work starts, to put the horse in 

 condition. 



FEEDING THE BROOD MARE 



Many farmers are so situated that they may raise a team of 

 colts each year without seriously interfering with farm operations. 

 This is a good practice, as there is a demand for good horses for 

 both city and farm use. A team of mares in foal can be worked 

 until the day of foaling if the work is not too severe and the 

 driver is careful. In fact, moderate exercise is necessary for the 

 mare in foal. Idleness is the bane of horse-rearing, and should be 

 avoided whenever possible. The Arabs have a saying, "Rest 

 and fat are the greatest enemies of the horse." Mares in foal 

 should be fed much as suggested for work horses with perhaps 

 ,the addition of more protein foods, as bran and oil meal. The 

 ration should be such as will supply the demands for energy and 

 in addition allow abundant nourishment for the development of 

 the foal both before and for a time after birth. A very good ra- 

 tion for the pregnant mare is as follows : Four parts ground 

 oats, four parts wheat bran or its equivalent, and one part lin- 

 seed meal, with bright clover or alfalfa hay for roughage. 



Pregnant animals have a tendency to fatten as pregnancy ad- 

 vances. This must be guarded against as the mare may 

 become so fat as to interfere with the development of the foal, 

 cause abortion or other troubles at parturition, such as milk- 

 fever and the like. The ration of the mare should be reduced 



